Category business

PAN India,20th June 2023: Next Education, a leading technology-driven company revolutionizing the K-12 education sector in India, has collaborated with Nikon Youth & Kids Program, a renowned initiative dedicated to nurturing photography skills in children. This association exemplifies Next Education’s ongoing commitment to delivering holistic, innovative, and experiential learning opportunities for students worldwide.

With its Next Learning Platform, Next Education has established a formidable presence in the K-12 education sector, providing a comprehensive digital learning tool that encompasses interactive content and engaging learning activities. This collaboration with Nikon Youth & Kids Program further solidifies Next Education’s mission to promote creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills among students.

By integrating the Nikon Youth & Kids Program into its curriculum offerings, Next Education expands the horizons of learning for students, introducing them to the captivating world of photography at an early age. This hands-on approach to education not only cultivates artistic and technical skills but also encourages observation, creativity, and self-expression, which are invaluable in all facets of learning and life.

Arpit Dugar, Head of Business Development, Middle East, Next Education, said, “We believe in empowering students with hands-on experience and developing in-demand skillsets. This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills among young learners. By integrating photography into our curriculum solutions, we aim to provide a comprehensive education that equips students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.”

Arya Chitra, Head of Nikon Youth & Kids Program, said, “We are pleased to announce our collaboration with Next Education in our joint effort to foster young talent and empower them through the art of photography. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire young learners to observe, create, and express themselves in new and exciting ways. By integrating photography into Next Education’s curriculum solutions, we will unlock the potential of thousands of young photographers, enabling them to explore their artistic abilities and develop valuable life skills.”

The collaboration serves as a testament to Next Education’s dedication to staying abreast of the ever-evolving educational landscape. By recognizing photography as a vital skill in the digital age, Next Education ensures that its offerings are proficient in using modern tools and technologies, equipping learners for future career paths and personal pursuits.

Furthermore, educators will benefit immensely from this partnership, as it presents a new avenue to engage students and enhance their learning experience. The integration with the Nikon Youth & Kids Program offers exciting opportunities for project-based learning, where students can apply their photography skills across various subjects, fostering interactivity and enjoyment in the learning process.

Bengaluru, June 19, 2023: Sun Life Asia Service Centres (ASC), a microcosm of the global insurance and asset management leader Sun Life, repositions itself as Sun Life Global Solutions (SLGS). The strategic move aims to advance the organization’s value proposition and further its journey in close collaboration with Sun Life’s business groups. In line with its ambitious growth trajectory, SLGS aims to recruit 1000 approx. new talent in the next two years. This significant expansion presents a distinct opportunity for skilled workforce in India and Philippines to collaborate with Sun Life, effectively showcasing their exceptional capabilities and immense potential.

The new name Sun Life Global Solutions (SLGS) underscores its global impact delivered through developing solutions, experiences and furthering innovation. With this strategic evolution, SLGS will also reaffirm its position as a key talent hub for Technology, Operations and Client care center. In addition, it will also lay focus on its expertise in key knowledge skills like actuarial, finance services, legal services, risk and compliance monitoring.

Sun Life plays an essential role for its Clients in the areas that matter most to them, and takes great pride in helping them build brighter, optimistic futures for themselves and their families. The goal is to build deeper digital relationships and more personalized experiences so we can better anticipate and serve our Clients’ unique needs. SLGS brings deep technology and digital capabilities by attracting top talent and a constantly upskilling workforce comprised of dynamic and motivated professionals.

Mr. Tarun Sareen, Managing Director, Sun Life Global Solutions

Expressing his views on the repositioning, Mr. Tarun Sareen, Managing Director, Sun Life Global Solutions, said, “It is truly a privilege to be the enablers driving the organisational Purpose of Sun Life in India and Philippines. The word Global reflects our outreach and the collaborative journey with Business Groups across the globe. And the word Solutions emphasizes our focus on designing and delivering solutions to our clients and advisors – be it through a digital asset, a transaction we process, a Client call we cater to or a solution. Solutions to us signify optimism and taking the forefront to solve challenges, create pathways and manifest opportunities – and keep on architecting and solving for the future. This is what makes us – Sun Life Global Solutions “

He further said, “Our culture is our superpower. SLGS takes pride in being a Great Place to Work. We are committed to nurturing a purpose led and values driven culture where we all do best work of our lives thriving in a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment. We believe in truly empowering our teams through a caring and thriving workplace encouraging them to bring their whole and authentic selves to work. Further with a shared vision and purpose, inclusive leadership, people centric practices we are building a highly engaged workforce which imbibes a sense of belonging.”

Sun Life Global Solutions plays a key role in driving the organisation’s enterprise strategy. They provide services and solutions to all pillars – Canada, Asia, US and Asset Management and Corporate functions. Over the course of its journey, SLGS has evolved as a key capability hub, creating many assets for the organization like Client Care Centre, Operations, Technology, Financial shared services, Actuarial, Legal and HR Shared services amongst others. Sun life Global Solutions will play an even larger role in the coming years by nurturing a stronger talent pool and leading digital and transformation initiatives.

Sun Life Global Solutions is a listening, caring and vibrant organization, its consistent high engagement scores speak of this culture. SLGS has received the Great Place to Work honorifics, ranked among the “Top 100 Best Companies for Women in India”, SLGS has been featured among India’s Best Workplaces in IT & IT-BPM 2022 – Top 50 by Great Places to Work. These recognitions reflect our Culture, practices, and focus on being a purpose-led organization well-equipped to serve business priorities and deliver exceptional value for its clients.

Bengaluru India June 19, 2023 – Recent market analysis reveals a substantial decline in start-up valuations across the globe. This downward trend has raised concerns among investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. The decreasing valuations indicate a shift in the start-up ecosystem and highlight the need for careful assessment and adaptation in this evolving landscape opines Venu Kondur CEO Lobb Logistics.

Factors contributing to the drop in start-up valuations are multi-faceted and influenced by a combination of market dynamics, investor sentiment, and regulatory changes. Some key factors include:

Market Correction: After a prolonged period of rapid growth and high valuations, the market is undergoing a natural correction. Investor expectations have shifted towards more realistic and sustainable valuations, leading to a recalibration in start-up pricing.

Increased Scrutiny: Investors are becoming more discerning and cautious in their investments, conducting thorough due diligence and demanding stronger business fundamentals. Start-ups with unproven business models or unsustainable growth trajectories are experiencing downward pressure on their valuations.

Regulatory Environment: Regulatory changes, particularly in areas such as data privacy, digital currencies, and technology governance, have introduced uncertainties and increased compliance costs. These factors can negatively impact start-up valuations, as investors factor in potential risks and legal challenges.

Evolving Investor Landscape: The investment landscape for start-ups is evolving, with a shift in focus towards sectors such as health-tech, climate tech, and sustainable solutions. Start-ups operating in other sectors may face greater challenges in attracting funding and achieving favourable valuations.

While the decline in start-up valuations presents challenges, it also brings opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors. This changing landscape encourages a renewed focus on business fundamentals, sustainable growth strategies, and demonstrating clear value propositions to investors.

Industry experts emphasize the importance of adopting a long-term perspective and adjusting strategies accordingly. Start-ups should prioritize building robust business models, cultivating strong customer relationships, and differentiating themselves in the market to withstand market fluctuations and attract investment.

Investors, on the other hand, are advised to conduct thorough due diligence, carefully assessing a start-up’s market potential, team expertise, competitive advantages, and scalability before making investment decisions. Collaborative partnerships and strategic investments in promising start-ups can yield significant returns in the long run.

“While the decline in start-up valuations may present challenges, it also brings an opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors to recalibrate their strategies and build sustainable businesses,” said Venu Kondur, CEO Lobb Logistics. “By focusing on solid fundamentals and addressing market needs, start-ups can position themselves for long-term success despite the changing investment landscape.”

The declining start-up valuations are indicative of a maturing market that requires adaptability, resilience, and strategic planning. Entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers are urged to monitor market trends closely and collaborate to foster an ecosystem that encourages innovation, growth, and long-term value creation.

The cooperative movement and the need for improvisation in policies for boosting socioeconomic growth is now the talk of the town. As it has been one of the most effective movements across the state of Maharashtra, Zee 24 Taas plans to draw the attention of its viewers to how cooperative societies have contributed significantly towards the economic development of the nation

Sahkar Parishad (सहकार परिषद), a one-of-its-kind IP of Zee Taas, goes on air on Saturday 17th June 2023 at 4 pm. This special screening will majorly focus on ‘Harnessing the Power of Co-operation’ – comprising the on-ground reality of Co-Operative Dairy, Co-operative Farming Agriculture & Animal Husbandry, Sugar Industry, Banking, and Rural Credit and Co-operative Housing Societies.

Maharashtra has been one of the pioneer states in initiating an impactful cooperative movement, which is now existent across the agricultural sector, agro-processing industry, agro-marketing, sugar cooperatives, fisheries cooperative societies, cooperative dairy societies, housing societies, etc. However, there have been multiple factors that hamper smooth functioning, and improving their credibility is the need of the hour.

Congratulating the Zee24 Taas team on this initiative, Chief Guest and keynote speaker – Shri Sharad Pawar, Member of Rajya Sabha & Former CM, of Maharashtra, said, “Firstly, I would like to congratulate Zee 24 Taas for making सहकार परिषद a reality. This platform will soon become a future-prominent platform for policymakers, and the brightest minds across the cooperative sectors to have a dialogue on broader governance and discuss the possible solutions to the challenges existing in the system. Cooperation should increase and be sustained for the development of the state.”

Encourage the audience to watch the Sahkar Parishad ceremony on their screens. Dr. Nilesh Khare, Editor, Zee 24 Taas, said, “The cooperative movement has contributed significantly to the development of rural Maharashtra. There is also a high potential for public-private partnerships, and collaborations to promote innovation and also bring to light the challenges faced by the cooperative systems across the nation. Sahkar Parishad will surely be an eye-opener to the citizens of India towards the interception of governance and improvisation of policies and credibility not only in the state of Maharashtra but also in India.”

Mr. Abhay Ojha, CEO, ZMCL further added, “Zee Media strongly believes in providing content which allows viewers to have an in-depth understanding of factors that have a huge impact on their lives. We created Sahkar Parishad to help citizens understand the diversification of partnerships with governments, businesses, and other organizations. The success of the inaugural edition of Sahkar Parishad further encourages us to expand such initiatives to other regions of India soon.”

The show is powered by Akkudas Trading – Dudhkandi & Associate Sponsors are Calton Paint, Pune Peoples Co-op Bank, GP Parsik Sahakari Bank Ltd, Washishthi Milk and Milk Products Ltd, and Rajasthani Multistate Co-Op. Credit Society Ltd.

Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India’s leading media companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional genres, with 16 news channels in seven different languages, reaching more than 528+ million viewers through its linear and digital properties.

Mumbai,19th June 2023— Being the official merchandise partner of well-renowned teams such as Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mumbai Indians (MI), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Punjab Kings (PBKS), play is a well-known sports equipment manufacturer with its wide range of equipment and accessories which include gloves, pads, balls, bats, bags, etc. With its slogan, “Let’s play”, play ensures efficient and reliable products catering to the needs of the players.

playR always comes up with equipment that is extremely innovative and flexible to use for all players whether experts or amateurs. With its innovative equipment, play continues to keep its audiences engaged and determined when it comes to cricket.

Notable highlights include:

1. Cricket Gear Bag: Your Ultimate All-in-One Solution for Cricket Equipment.The Cricket Gear Bag is meticulously crafted with the modern cricketer in mind. It offers ample storage space and intelligently designed compartments to accommodate all your cricket gear, including bats, pads, gloves, helmets, and more. No more juggling multiple bags or struggling to find the right equipment – everything you need is neatly organised in one place. It eliminates the hassle of carrying multiple bags, ensures your gear stays organised, and simplifies your cricketing experience.
2. Superior Batting Equipment: playR’s specially crafted cricket bats deliver unmatched power and precision. Designed with the needs of professional and amateur cricketers in mind, these bats provide exceptional balance, superb grip, and optimal weight distribution, enabling batsmen to dominate the game.
3. High-Performance Gloves: playR’s gloves and pads offer a perfect blend of comfort, protection, and flexibility. These specially designed gloves provide excellent grip, shock absorption, and breathability, enhancing players’ confidence and dexterity on the field.
4. Premium Cricket Balls: playR’s cricket balls are hand-crafted and engineered to deliver consistent performance and durability. These high-quality balls provide excellent seam control, swing, and bounce, ensuring an exhilarating experience for bowlers and fielders.

Speaking about the partnership,Ravi Kukreja, CEO of playR, expressed his views, saying, “We are incredibly excited to partner with some of India’s most popular IPL teams. This collaboration presents a tremendous opportunity for us to connect with a larger audience and foster increased engagement between fans and their beloved teams. The IPL has revolutionised the sports merchandise market in India, and our objective is to offer fans the finest sports merchandise and equipment available. This partnership between playR and the IPL teams is a testament to the brand’s commitment to excellence and its understanding of the dynamic nature of the IPL. With the launch of these innovative products, playR aims to revolutionise the cricketing landscape and further strengthen its position as a leading sports equipment brand.”

19th June 2023 Urban Square Mall in Udaipur leases space to yet another major brand, Lifestyle, India’s premier clothing store, within its premises. The Lifestyle store spans an impressive 17,500 square feet across two floors. The store was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, IG, Udaipur, Mr Ajay Pal Lamba, in the presence of Mr. Uddhav Poddar, Managing Director, Bhumika Group.

“We are delighted to welcome Lifestyle, India’s leading clothing brand, to Urban Square Mall in Udaipur. This opening marks an exciting milestone in the development of our city’s retail landscape. With its expansive store offering diverse national and international brands, Lifestyle adds tremendous value to the mall. More than 75 lifestyle brands from India and abroad have leased the spaces. We are committed to making Urban Square Mall one of Rajasthan’s premier retail destinations,” said Uddhav Poddar, Managing Director of Bhumika Group.

Along with a diverse range of national and international brands, the store will also offer its own popular brands, such as Melange, Kappa, CODE, Forca, Ginger, Bossini, Fame Forever, and more.

Urban Square Mall is slated to become the largest mall in Udaipur. More than 75 lifestyle brands from India and abroad have leased the spaces. Phase I of the project features a six-screen multiplex to provide a holistic visual experience to its visitors. The total build-up area of the project is 8.54 lakh sq ft. As of now, only the first phase of the vast complex spread over 1.1 million square feet is functional. The second phase has already been launched. Urban Square Mall is part of mixed-use land development spreading over 3 acres. Once phase two is complete, Urban Square Mall will become one of Rajasthan’s most prominent retail destinations.

19th June 2023, India: Bollywood’s leading lady and Superstar Kiara Advani has been signed as the brand ambassador for global confectionery major Mars Wrigley’s iconic global brand, GALAXY® chocolates.

The company made the announcement in collaboration with the versatile Indian actress via her official social media pages with a teaser video. The announcement was followed by a TVC wherein the actor is seen in a whimsical setting indulging in the smoothness of GALAXY® chocolates, deriving pleasure with every bite.

Talking about the latest association, Varun Kandhari, Director Marketing, Mars Wrigley India said, “We are really delighted to have Kiara as the face of our globally loved GALAXY® chocolate in the India market. Her elegance and charm seamlessly compliment the brand’s persona. Through this latest campaign featuring Kiara Advani, we bring to life the effortless pleasure GALAXY® chocolates deliver with their signature smooth recipe. Through our associations and portfolio, we have been continuously driving relevance for our GALAXY® chocolates in the minds of the Indian consumer. With this new development, we intend to further strengthen affinity toward GALAXY® chocolates as an iconic chocolate brand that is loved all over the world for its smooth chocolate experience.”

The latest TVC has been conceptualized by the brand’s creative agency, DDB Tribal. The film brings alive how mundane moments in daily life can be made pleasurable as soon as the smoothness of the GALAXY® chocolates takes over. In the ad film, Kiara is seen in a playful hide-and-seek gesture between her and the moon as the latter casts a spotlight on the GALAXY® chocolate and is fixated on it, showcasing the out-of-this-world experience that the chocolate promises thereby establishing itself as the brand of choice for pleasure seekers across the country.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the new association, Kiara Advani adds, “The only sweet craving I have is for chocolate, I love indulging, even if it’s a small piece of chocolate after every meal. Chocolate has a far more deeper place in all our hearts as it denotes our childhood memories. This association holds a special place in my heart as I am a loyal consumer of GALAXY® chocolate and you will always find a bar or two in my refrigerator. It brings me immense happiness to be part of such an iconic and globally loved brand.”

Speaking on the latest campaign, Iraj Fraz, Creative Head, DDB Tribal, “GALAXY® Chocolates’ global platform of #ChoosePleasure is reincarnated with a Star and the Moon: Kiara Advani is here to lend her charm for the smoothest chocolate ever. The campaign was shot in the streets of Istanbul and features an original blues soundtrack. This is not a film to be described in words. There should be no explanation of the plot. No summary of the story. This is a film to be just watched, consumed, and enjoyed. So, here’s what we urge – #ChoosePleasure, pull out your earphones and watch it on a large screen.”

Launched in the year 2013 in India, GALAXY® chocolates deliver a uniquely pleasurable experience of rich milk chocolate combined with Mars Wrigley’s signature smooth recipe. It is the preferred brand for many people across the world who relish the smooth texture that imbibes the goodness of chocolate flavor with a creamy texture.

New Delhi,19th June 2023 Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions globally, has published its Global Threat Index for May 2023. Researchers reported on a new version of shellcode-based downloader GuLoader, which was the fourth most prevalent malware last month. With fully encrypted payloads and anti-analysis techniques, the latest form can be stored undetected in well-known public cloud services, including Google Drive. Meanwhile, Qbot and Anubis took first place on their respective lists, and Education/Research remained the most exploited industry.

The GuLoader malware, widely used by cybercriminals to bypass antivirus detection, has undergone significant changes. The latest iteration employs a sophisticated technique of replacing code in a legitimate process, facilitating its evasion from process monitoring security tools. The payloads are fully encrypted and stored undetected in renowned public cloud services, including Google Drive. This unique blend of encryption, raw binary format, and separation from the loader makes the payloads invisible to antivirus programs, posing a significant threat to users and businesses worldwide.

Last month also saw both Qbot and Anubis taking first place on their respective lists. Despite efforts to slow down malware distribution by blocking macros in Office files, Qbot operators have been quick to adapt their distribution and delivery. It has recently been seen abusing a dynamic link library (DLL) hijacking flaw in the Windows 10 WordPad program to infect computers.

“Public tools and services are increasingly being exploited by cybercriminals to deliver and store malware campaigns. The trustworthiness of a source no longer guarantees complete security,” said Maya Horowitz, VP Research at Check Point Software. “This highlights the urgent need for education on identifying suspicious activities. We strongly advise against disclosing personal information or downloading attachments unless the authenticity and benign nature of the request have been confirmed. Additionally, it’s crucial to have advanced security solutions like Check Point Horizon XDR/XPR in place, which can effectively identify if an allegedly benign behavior is actually malicious, providing an extra layer of protection against sophisticated threats.”

The Education/Research sector continues to be the most targeted industry, according to Check Point’s Index. The report also revealed that the “Web Servers Malicious URL Directory Traversal” vulnerability is the most exploited, impacting 49% of organizations globally. This is closely followed by “Apache Log4j Remote Code Execution” and “HTTP Headers Remote Code Execution” vulnerabilities, affecting 45% and 44% of organizations worldwide, respectively.

Top malware families

*The arrows relate to the change in rank compared to the previous month.

Qbot was the most prevalent malware last month with an impact of 6% worldwide organizations, followed by Formbook with a global impact of 5% and AgentTesla with a global impact of 3%.

1. ↑ Qbot –Qbot AKA Qakbot is a multipurpose malware that first appeared in 2008. It was designed to steal a user’s credentials, record keystrokes, steal cookies from browsers, spy on banking activities, and deploy additional malware. Often distributed via spam email, Qbot employs several anti-VM, anti-debugging, and anti-sandbox techniques to hinder analysis and evade detection. Commencing in 2022, it emerged as one of the most prevalent Trojans.
2. ↑ Formbook – Formbook is an Infostealer targeting the Windows OS and was first detected in 2016. It is marketed as Malware as a Service (MaaS) in underground hacking forums for its strong evasion techniques and relatively low price. FormBook harvests credentials from various web browsers, collects screenshots, monitors and logs keystrokes, and can download and execute files according to orders from its C&C.
3. ↓ AgentTesla – AgentTesla is an advanced RAT functioning as a keylogger and information stealer, which is capable of monitoring and collecting the victim’s keyboard input, system keyboard, taking screenshots, and exfiltrating credentials to a variety of software installed on a victim’s machine (including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and the Microsoft Outlook email client).

Top-Attacked Industries Globally

Last month, Education/Research remained in first place as the most exploited industry globally, followed by Government/Military and Healthcare.

1. Education/Research
2. Government/Military
3. Healthcare

Top exploited vulnerabilities

Last month, “Web Servers Malicious URL Directory Traversal” was the most exploited vulnerability, impacting 49% of organizations globally, followed by “Apache Log4j Remote Code Execution” impacting 45% of organizations worldwide. “HTTP Headers Remote Code Execution” was the third most used vulnerability, with a global impact of 44%.

1. ↔ Web Servers Malicious URL Directory Traversal – There exists a directory traversal vulnerability on different web servers. The vulnerability is due to an input validation error in a web server that does not properly sanitize the URI for the directory traversal patterns. Successful exploitation allows unauthenticated remote attackers to disclose or access arbitrary files on the vulnerable server.
2. ↔ Apache Log4j Remote Code Execution (CVE-2021-44228) – A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Apache Log4j. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system.
3. ↔ HTTP Headers Remote Code Execution (CVE-2020-10826,CVE-2020-10827,CVE-2020-10828,CVE-2020-13756) – HTTP headers let the client and the server pass additional information with an HTTP request. A remote attacker may use a vulnerable HTTP Header to run arbitrary code on the victim machine.

Top Mobile Malwares

Last month Anubis rose to first place as the most prevalent Mobile malware, followed by AhMyth and Hiddad.

1. Anubis – Anubis is a banking Trojan malware designed for Android mobile phones. Since it was initially detected, it has gained additional functions including Remote Access Trojan (RAT) functionality, keylogger, audio recording capabilities and various ransomware features. It has been detected on hundreds of different applications available in the Google Store.
2. AhMyth – AhMyth is a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) discovered in 2017. It is distributed through Android apps that can be found on app stores and various websites. When a user installs one of these infected apps, the malware can collect sensitive information from the device and perform actions such as keylogging, taking screenshots, sending SMS messages, and activating the camera, which usually used to steal sensitive information.
3. Hiddad – Hiddad is an Android malware which repackages legitimate apps and then releases them to a third-party store. Its main function is to display ads, but it can also gain access to key security details built into the OS.

Check Point’s Global Threat Impact Index and its ThreatCloud Map is powered by Check Point’s ThreatCloud AI: the brain behind Check Point’s security. ThreatCloud AI provides real-time threat intelligence derived from hundreds of millions of sensors worldwide, over networks, endpoints and mobiles. The intelligence is enriched with 40+ AI and Machine Learning technologies that identify and block emerging threats,and exclusive research data from Check Point Research, the intelligence and research arm of Check Point Software Technologies.

India, 19th June 2023: Synchrony, a premier consumer financial services company, is proud to announce that it has been recognized by Great Place To Work – India among India’s Best Companies to Work For. This remarkable achievement is a testament to Synchrony’s unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and inspiring work environment for its employees.

Expressing his gratitude for being ranked five, Andy Ponneri, Senior Vice President, Business Leader – India, Synchrony, said, “Our employees are what makes Synchrony a Great Place to Work. We are delighted to receive this prestigious recognition by Great Place To Work. This achievement underscores our steadfast commitment to our employees, who are the bedrock of our organization’s success. At Synchrony, we hold diversity, inclusivity, and innovation in high regard. With an impressive ~50% women representation, over 100 individuals with disabilities, and our unwavering support for 45+ veterans and veteran family members, we strive to cultivate an environment where every individual can thrive. This recognition serves as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our employees and the exceptional workplace culture we have fostered. Moving forward, we remain driven to promote a collaborative, inclusive, and growth-oriented environment, ensuring that Synchrony continues to be an exemplar of a truly exceptional workplace for all.”

Gaurav Sehgal, Senior Vice President, Human Resources – Asia, said, “At Synchrony, we prioritize creating an empowering environment where our employees can realize their full potential. Our 100% work-from-home flexibility, a key part of our unique Way of Working in India, enables our teams to excel while maintaining a healthy work-life balance with our unique benefits. With a resounding 97% of employees affirming Synchrony as a Great Place to Work, we continuously enhance our workplace experience. We are honored to receive this recognition, a testament to our sustained commitment to our employees’ growth and well-being.

This accolade reinforces our dedication to advancing an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment. We remain committed to enabling our employees to succeed and thrive, driving collaboration and innovation. Together, we will continue to redefine the way we work, while ensuring our employees’ well-being remains at the heart of our organization.”

Backed by 30 years of data, Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture. Great Place to Work’s methodology, derived from years of studying the best workplaces across the globe, is recognized as rigorous and objective and considered the gold standard for defining great workplaces across business, academia, and government organizations. Their proprietary methodology and platform enable leaders to truly capture, analyze, and understand the experience of every employee, and compare outcomes with data collected from more than 100 million employees in 150 countries worldwide.

Congratulating Synchrony, Yeshasvini Ramaswamy, Serial Entrepreneur & CEO, Great Place To Work India said, “May your continued efforts to create great workplaces inspire others to follow in your footsteps. Your dedication to fostering inclusivity and empowering individuals has made your organization a true leader in the industry.”

Synchrony’s commitment to its employees is evident through a range of initiatives, including 100% work-from-home flexibility, continuous learning and certification reimbursement programs, and the establishment of Regional Engagement Hubs across India to cater to diverse talent and employee bases. We are committed to revolutionizing work-life balance for employees by offering remote work flexibility, holistic wellness sessions for physical, mental, and financial well-being, extended medical insurance coverage for specially-abled siblings and parents-in-law, freezing of eggs and sperm for employees, surrogacy coverage for maternity plans, and enhancing a culture of total well-being and support. Furthermore, Synchrony’s philanthropic efforts and commitment to social responsibility have played a vital role in driving a positive impact within local communities.

In 2022, Synchrony ranked #19 among India’s Best Companies to Work For, Top 5 among India’s Best Workplaces in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Top 10 among India’s Best Workplaces for Women. Recently, Synchrony also received Top 25 BFSI recognition from Great Place to Work India and ranked #21 under LinkedIn Top Companies in India list.

Itanagar,19th June 2023 The Rally of Arunachal 2023, organized by the Motorsports Club of Arunachal in association with the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), concluded with great success. Held from June 13th to June 16th, this prestigious event showcased the remarkable skills of India’s top rally drivers and celebrated the breathtaking landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh. The event was organized by the Directorate of Youth Affairs Govt. of Arunachal, headed by Lhakpa Tsering, President of the Motorsports Club of Arunachal.

The Rally of Arunachal 2023 was the second round of the highly anticipated Blueband FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship. It attracted a massive field of 51 entries, making it the largest rally event in the North-East region. Rally enthusiasts from all over the country gathered in Itanagar to witness the impressive display of driving skills and experience the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere.

Mr. Tsering expressed his pride in holding the event in Arunachal Pradesh, stating, “The rally was likely the most demanding for both organizers and competitors, and it marked the first time in India that the event took place at night. With a remarkable turnout of 8 to 10k spectators, motorsports were brought right to the youth of the state.”
Premnath K. of Blueband Sports shared his satisfaction with the event, highlighting the unprecedented number of entries from top rallying talent across the country. He expressed the commitment to continuously elevate the stature and allure of the Indian National Rally Championship, making it more captivating for both competitors and the audience.

The Rally of Arunachal 2023 featured various categories, including Overall Winner, INRC, INRC 2, INRC 3, INRC 4, Gypsy Class, JINRC (Junior INRC), and Women’s Class. Champions were crowned in each category, showcasing their exceptional performances and remarkable achievements. The winners of the various categories are as follow:
Overall winners (Final ROA):

1st Place: Aroor Arjun Rao and Satish Kumar Rajagopal of Mandovi Racing / Maruti Suzuki Baleno

2nd Place: Sheshank Jamwal and Aseem Sharma of Arka Motorsports / VW Polo

3rd Place: Dr. Bikku Babu and Milen George of Chettinad Sporting / VW Polo

INRC 2:
1st Place: Dr. Bikku Babu and Milen George of Chettinad Sporting / VW Polo 22
2nd Place: Philippos Matthai and Murthy P.V.S of Arka Motorsports / VW Polo
3rd Place: Chetan Shivram and Shiv Prakash of Snap Racing / VW Polo

INRC 3:
1st Place: Sheshank Jamwal and Aseem Sharma of Motorsports / VW Polo
2nd Place: Arnav Pratap Singh and Arjun SSB 2 of Ammyfied Rallying / VW Polo
3rd Place: Jahaan Gill and Suraj Keshava Prasad of Snap Racing / VW Polo

INRC 4:
1st Place: Abhin Rai and D Uday Kumar of Ammyfied Rallying / Honda City VTEC
2nd Place: Ruthuparna Vivek and Sanjay Agarwal of Snap Racing / Honda City VTEC
3rd Place: Phoebe Nongrum and Dr. Dinesh S of Ammyfied Rallying / Maruti Suzuki Baleno

Gypsy Class:
1st Place: Samrat Yadav and Arvind Dheerendra of Ammyfied Rallying / Maruti Suzuki Gypsy
2nd Place: Aman Preet Ahluwalia and Amber Udasi piloted Maruti Suzuki Gypsy
3rd Place: Baljindar Singh Dhillon and Goutham CP piloted Maruti Suzuki Gypsy

JINRC (Junior INRC):
1st Place: Arnav Pratap Singh and Arjun SSB of Ammyfied Rallying / VW Polo
2nd Place: Jahaan Gill and Suraj Keshava Prasad of Snap Racing / VW Polo
3rd Place: Mohommed Sahil and Eldo Chacko of Ammyfied Rallying / VW Polo

Women’s Class:
1st Place: Anushriya Gulati and Arjun Dheerendra of Dark Don Rallying / VW Polo
2nd Place: Shivani Parmar and Dr. Vani Parmar of Chettinad Sporting / Honda City
3rd Place: Nikeetaa Takkale and Venu Rameshkumar of Ammyfied Rallying / VW Polo

The event concluded with a grand podium ceremony held at Itanagar, where the overall winners of the Final ROA were honored. Apart from the thrilling competition, the Rally of Arunachal 2023 contributed to the promotion of adventure tourism in Arunachal Pradesh. The event showcased the state as a driving destination in the Northeast and left a lasting impression on both participants and spectators.

With the event’s resounding success and the increasing popularity of motorsports in India, the Motorsports Club of Arunachal and FMSCI are already looking forward to future editions of the Indian National Rally Championship. Their aim is to make the championship even more captivating and enthralling for motorsport enthusiasts, continuing to elevate its stature and allure in the years to come.